Lyia Meta in Conversation with FAULT Magazine

Lyia Meta.

Lyia Meta is a unique proposition in an industry which so often seems to have a just a single, standard formula for success. If the typical approach is to pick a genre and identity based on easy marketability, find a record label to fund your progress, then stick largely to the same strategy to minimise corporate risk, Lyia is proud to break the mould. She regularly mixes with big hitting artists – Beyoncé and Van Morrison for starters – at music awards despite her choice to remain unsigned and release her music her own way. Lyia Meta ‘s talent and artistic pedigree means she moves seamlessly between genres. All of which adds up to a gloriously free expression of her creativity, culminating most recently in her second album, Always You, which was released in June 2023.

FAULT: Always You is your sophomore album. It comes after the release of two EPs and You Think About Me in 2022. Talk us through the creation of this record: how did it compare with your previous releases?

Lyia Meta: On every level, this record became extremely personal for me. To begin with, the concept of the album was built around the title track ‘Always You’. It was written for me by Los Angeles songwriter Denise Dimin. In fact, all 8 tracks are her writings. But although the essence of the song ‘Always You’ addresses the complexity of performing live with my life partner [husband Zack], with the trials, tribulations and pitfalls, I believe it goes deeper than that. Aside from the common hurdles many couples find themselves having to navigate in this industry, I feel that it is quite simply a love letter that offers assurances and professes love and devotion.

On reflection, I have put more of me into this album that I care to admit. Being in this industry, you learn over time to build walls to protect yourself. For this album, I brought them down and approached each song as I would if I wrote a letter to a loved one. I don’t like being vulnerable but, for this album, I threw caution to the wind!

Tell us a bit about your background – how did you get into music?

I come from a musically inclined family where my dad was our main artistic influence in both the audio and visual fields. I was always surrounded by music and the arts during my growing years. In a sense, I never really left it. But despite that, I had avoided pursing music as a career and started carving a different path. However, the universe had different plans for me. It was only after I met my life partner, Zack, did I decide to make the stage my life.

You’re a Malaysian artist who records in English and performs all over the world. You spent time in America before moving back to Kuala Lumpur. What impact, if any, does that degree of multiculturalism have on your work?

Well, although our national language is Bahasa Melayu, we conversed in English all the time at home. My dad was local Malaccan Portuguese and mom is of mixed parentage. We had a few languages going back and forth at home, but English was what I used to express myself best.

As for spending time in America: its culture and its music did have an impact on my work. This has come in the form of collaborations that allowed for a broader range of ideas in terms of genres and styles.

Name some of your key inspirations, musical and/or otherwise?

My key inspirations have shifted with time but the few that I always draw from are my personal experiences, emotions, art, relatable lyrics, dreams, imagination and people. Lately it’s been the people in my life and my personal experiences that have taken centre stage. It is a painful process as I confront issues and personal struggles that have lain buried.

You regularly perform and record in various genres – from jazz and blues to country and even metal. Do you think that versatility gives you an edge over artists who are perhaps more comfortable sticking to one or two genres? Or does it make it harder to establish a recognisable musical ‘style’?

There isn’t a simple answer. As an artist, I find myself more comfortable being able to express myself through different genres. Isn’t that the very basis of art? Being able to express yourself without confines or expectations, and the ability to break away from conventional patterns? In this case the common advice is usually to “pick a lane”, which I have not. If that ever happens, it would be something that unfolds naturally rather than forced. However, in saying that, the industry is a machine built on strategies, and from a marketing standpoint, this may pose a problem for some in which branding, identity, and marketing strategy is concerned. I see my ability to traverse different genres to be unique.

There are instances where artists successfully blend multiple genres or evolve their style over time. Ultimately, the music industry is diverse, and different approaches can lead to success. That depends on the artist’s talent, uniqueness, and connection with their audience.

Which do you prefer: recording or performing live?

I am a live performer first. Having honed my skills on the stage, there is nothing like being able to perform live and feel the energy that bounces off the audience. But there’s a certain magic about being in a studio. It’s like comparing the function of painting a canvas and then being able to stand back and redo parts, or rethink vast expanses of space, without compromising on the outcome. Whereas performing live is very much like being in a squash game where every hit has got to count, or you’ll lose the game.

You’ve been nominated for and won so many awards in your career so far. Is there one achievement that stands out above the rest?

Every single nomination and award I have won is a huge blessing. I’m always very grateful for them. My favourite would be the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) in 2021 where I was nominated in the Jazz Category for my song ‘Sing a Sad Song’, written by Denise Dimin, from the EP15013. The other categories featured artists such as Van Morrison, Hans Zimmerman and Beyoncé. It was a huge honour!

Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?

He has left us, but Jeff Beck would have been wonderful. Regarded as a multi-genre musician and a highly influential and versatile guitarist, his ability to effortlessly move between various music styles has given him his own unique identity.

If Lyia Meta wasn’t making music, what would she be doing?

I would be making the most of my visual art, travelling and collecting cats and curios.

What is your FAULT?

I do not believe I am good enough.